Have you ever tried to walk in private houses quarter somewhere in Arad? First comes the feeling that they are abandoned and empty. Then you start to notice the huge fences along the street. Fences? No, they are not fences anymore – huge walls, made from solid brick, or fortified fences, blocking vision from the strangers. Many has barbed wire, spines, broken glass on top. Fences are build to restrict or prevent movement across a boundary, but these walls lost their primal purpose long time ago. They became barrier from getting in the territory. Sounds like middle ages? Romanians are proud of their fortresses and castles built all around the country, so every single Romanian is trying to build a fortress for himself? Actually, the reason why they are building these walls seemed obvious for me at the first sight: they are trying to protect their possession from thieves. But when I went to Roma people shacks quarter and saw the same huge walls made of all kinds rubbish in front of their huts I was surprised. The walls are not for their safety, it‘s something deeper. It seems that rich people are trying to hide their wealth and poor people their poverty. Or maybe they decided to build a wall around the territory just because they are afraid to see that there are poor/rich people around them. Safe and cozy bubble to protect yourself from reality. Going to the same places, meeting the same people, coming back to your house-fortress, switching the channels when some serious problems are shown helps you to put the world in your own format. Do-it-yourself world without troubles or misery. Sometimes it‘s easier not to know.
